Verbiage vs Verbage: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to writing, clarity is key, but sometimes we get caught up in the finer details of words. One common point of confusion is the distinction between verbiage and verbage. Although these terms may seem similar, their meanings and usage are quite different. Let’s break it down so you can use these words confidently in your writing.

What is Verbiage?

Verbiage refers to the use of more words than necessary, often resulting in unnecessary or redundant language. It’s a term used to describe writing that is excessively wordy or complicated. In the context of professional or academic writing, avoiding verbiage is important to maintain clarity and precision.

For example, the sentence:

“The team is currently in the process of reviewing the documents in a thorough manner.”

Can be revised to:

“The team is reviewing the documents.”

Here, the unnecessary words (“currently,” “in the process of,” and “in a thorough manner”) have been removed, making the sentence clearer and more concise. AI Proofreading tools, like Writerightly, can help identify and eliminate verbiage in your writing, improving its readability and effectiveness.

What is Verbage?

Verbage, on the other hand, is often used incorrectly in place of verbiage. It is a common misspelling or misusage. While verbiage is accepted and widely understood, verbage is generally not recognized in standard dictionaries and is considered a mistake in formal writing.

If you come across the term verbage in a piece of writing, it’s safe to assume it’s a typo or an incorrect attempt to use verbiage. It’s always a good idea to double-check and correct such errors, especially when using Grammar Checker tools like Writerightly.

Verbiage vs Verbage in Practice

The confusion between these two words can easily be avoided by being mindful of the correct term to use. If you're striving for clearer, more effective communication, it’s essential to choose the right words and avoid unnecessary complexity.

Common Mistakes:

1. Using verbage instead of verbiage.
2. Overusing verbiage, making writing longer and more complicated than needed.
3. Misusing verbiage in informal contexts, where simpler terms may be better suited.